Ilia Topuria claimed he was scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev at the White House event and went to bed knowing the bout was set, only to be told hours before the announcement that Makhachev was injured and he would face Justin Gaethje instead. Topuria questioned why Makhachev doesn't want to fight him. Islam Makhachev fired back, stating he agreed to the White House fight but was told the next day that Topuria demanded a huge fee and was denied. Makhachev insisted Topuria refused the fight and accused him of lying, noting even Topuria's manager confirmed this version. In a social media exchange, a fan told Makhachev to go to sleep at 4 AM, to which Makhachev cryptically replied "Today it's not him."
